Amazon expected to show off Apple TV competitor on April 2

The already crowded streaming set-top box market is about to get even more congested as internet retailing behemoth Amazon looks set to unveil a new web-to-television device of its own next week.

Amazon has begun inviting members of the press to an April 2 media event hosted by Kindle chief Peter Larsen, according toRe/code. The invitations exhort reporters to join the company "for an update on our video business" and are accompanied with images of a overstuffed couch and kernels of popcorn.

Seattle, Wash.-based Amazon's entry is thought to have been under development for at least a year, suffering multiple delays as management was "underwhelmed" with the product until now. Many expect the box to have strong ties to the company's Prime streaming library, and it is possible that next week's announcement could bring with it an expansion of Amazon's home-grown content initiatives.

Previous reports have indicated that Amazon would seek a slightly expanded distribution footprint for its new device, partnering with brick-and-mortar retailers including Staples and Best Buy to drive sales. Those stores already carry a range of Apple products, including the Apple TV.

For its part, Apple is rumored to introduce a new version of its own streamer sometime in April with upgraded hardware and a revamped user interface alongside the possibility of new content partnerships. The company is believed to be in negotiations with cable giant Comcast for both content and infrastructure partnerships.

I really don't mind these companies just keep throwing resources at these programs. In the end all they have really done is highlight how good Apple's solution really is or push Apple to focus more and up it to the next level. An SDK for the Apple TV will be game over for everyone else. :)

Amazon video is not that good, the few I have watch do not even live up to Netflix quality, The video would shutter all the time and the quality was noticeable bad. I only got it since we signed up for prime to get free shipping last fall for xmass gifts. Otherwise it not worth it, but it was it was essentially free, if we stop paying for prime I will not miss it.

"I really don't mind these companies just keep throwing resources at these programs. In the end all they have really done is highlight how good Apple's solution really is or push Apple to focus more and up it to the next level. An SDK for the Apple TV will be game over for everyone else. "

Suure. As if Roku isn't making a ton of money off their set-top box, and as if Google isn't making a ton of money off Chromecast. Sorry, but the only product that Apple was able to thoroughly dominate and not have any real, viable moneymaking competition was the I-Pod. Everything else: PCs, smartphones, tablets ... Apple has and will have competitors.

"I really don't mind these companies just keep throwing resources at these programs. In the end all they have really done is highlight how good Apple's solution really is or push Apple to focus more and up it to the next level. An SDK for the Apple TV will be game over for everyone else. "

Suure. As if Roku isn't making a ton of money off their set-top box, and as if Google isn't making a ton of money off Chromecast. Sorry, but the only product that Apple was able to thoroughly dominate and not have any real, viable moneymaking competition was the I-Pod. Everything else: PCs, smartphones, tablets ... Apple has and will have competitors.

That's true.

I'm actually looking forward to this event. I have prime for the shipping (have a couple different offices In other states so shipping to them is very easy that way). But don't use prime for streaming ever really. That said- it's always cool to see what other companies come out with, even though I likely won't buy it.

"I really don't mind these companies just keep throwing resources at these programs. In the end all they have really done is highlight how good Apple's solution really is or push Apple to focus more and up it to the next level. An SDK for the Apple TV will be game over for everyone else. "

Suure. As if Roku isn't making a ton of money off their set-top box, and as if Google isn't making a ton of money off Chromecast. Sorry, but the only product that Apple was able to thoroughly dominate and not have any real, viable moneymaking competition was the I-Pod. Everything else: PCs, smartphones, tablets ... Apple has and will have competitors.

Yep. I'm sure there's just a TON of money in selling $50 and $30 streamers if you are not in control of the actual content being streamed through it. The irony is that Apple is the market leader here. Even though they *just* let the Apple TV out of the "It's just a hobby" - land...

Yep. I'm sure there's just a TON of money in selling $50 and $30 streamers if you are not in control of the actual content being streamed through it. The irony is that Apple is the market leader here. Even though they *just* let the Apple TV out of the "It's just a hobby" - land...

Although Wall Street insists that market share is the most important metric, I'm fairly certain that the ability to monetize a product should be much more important to a company. I'm not sure how many Chromecasts are being sold but it only cost the price of a few packs of cigarettes, so I'll bet Wall Street sees Chromecast market share as strong enough competition to make Apple cry "Uncle". I'm sticking with my Roku 3 because it does all the things I need it to do and the most important is to support PLEX Client. I find the Roku 3 speedy and trouble-free, so I can't imagine what would make me jump to some Apple streamer. I personally think Apple dicked around too long with AppleTV as a hobby but I'm sure Apple can catch up in an instant if it really wanted to. $160 billion in reserve cash says Apple can be the 800 lb. gorilla in any market imaginable whether Wall Street thinks so or not. The Amazon streamer will be great for those heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem but I'd hardly think it would be great for everyone else. I think those HDMI dongles are rather limited as to what type of processors they can use. Apple could really crank up a mini-streaming box with an A7 processor for 4K TV watching.

Perhaps this'll prompt Apple to let us get a preview of their plans both for streaming and the next Apple TV. That they may do if Amazon's offering is innovative and appealing enough. If it's not, they're likely to stay mum.